5 Trends in AI-powered Cybersecurity

Posted August 1, 2023

Cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and frequent, posing a significant risk to businesses of all sizes. In recent years, we’ve witnessed high-profile attacks on major corporations and organizations, highlighting the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. For mid-sized organizations, the stakes are especially high, as they often lack the resources and expertise to effectively defend themselves against cyber threats. New data from IBM suggests the global average cost of a data breach in 2023 is $4.45 million. For many organizations, that is an unexpected cost that can take years to recover.

Critical infrastructure organizations – those operating in sectors such as financial services, industrial, technology, energy, transportation, communication, healthcare, education, and the public sector – were found to be hit even harder. The average cost of a data breach for these organizations was $4.82 million. While healthcare continued to hold the number one spot at $10.3mm in average cost.

However, there is hope on the horizon. Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the cybersecurity landscape, providing mid-sized organizations with the tools they need to fend off the latest threats. As data from IBM also reveals, organizations that use security AI and automation extensively can save $1.76 million compared to organizations that don’t. This data underscores the need for mid-sized organizations to invest in AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape.

Benefits of AI-powered Cybersecurity

1. Automated Threat Detection: AI-powered systems can analyze massive amounts of data in real-time, detecting and flagging potential threats that might otherwise go undetected. These systems are trained to identify threats by breaking down millions of files into their fundamental building blocks and then examining the characteristics of each file in combination to identify indicators of malicious intent. This allows budget-sensitive organizations to identify and respond to threats more quickly and effectively.

2. Enhanced Incident Response: AI can help mid-sized organizations improve their incident response capabilities by providing detailed analytics and insights into past incidents through Endpoint Detection and Response solutions (EPDR). This enables organizations to identify patterns and trends, and develop more effective response strategies — optimizing their human IT resources.

3. Advanced Threat Protection: AI-powered systems, such as WatchGuardAV, can detect and prevent advanced threats, such as zero-day attacks and fileless malware, which are particularly challenging for mid-sized organizations to defend against.

4. Simplified Security Management: AI can help streamline security management for mid-sized organizations by automating routine tasks, such as patch management and vulnerability assessments. This allows security teams to focus on more strategic tasks, such as threat hunting and incident response.

5. Cost-Effective Protection: AI-powered cybersecurity solutions are often more cost-effective than traditional security measures, making them more accessible to mid-sized organizations. Firewalls running AI-powered OSs similar to WatchGuardAV, can automatically detect and block malware, as well as provide advanced threat protection creating a more secure environment at less cost.

AI is revolutionizing the cybersecurity landscape, providing mid-sized organizations with the tools they need to fend off the latest threats. AI-powered cybersecurity solutions offer a range of features and services that can help organizations protect themselves against cyber threats. By leveraging AI, businesses can improve their security posture, reduce costs, and improve their overall cyber resilience. As Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, once said, “AI is the most important technological innovation of the 21st century, and it will fundamentally change the way we work and live.” We think Satya is right and we’re already seeing AI’s impact on security.

Kyle Vinar

Kyle Vinar is Partner / President of Verus Corporation. He oversees all business operations and coaches Verus teams to continually improve on their solutions from client experience to product development and overall solution implementation. He works with all Verus resources to increase efficiencies and excellence in every aspect of their organizational roles. Kyle believes that people are the last real competitive edge that a company can have and constructing a rich culture is a vital step in running a world-class organization. Therefore he strives to create a culture within Verus that allows everyone to show up authentically and grow both personally and professionally, which in turn allows Verus Corp team members to provide clients with top-of-the-line service. Kyle helps balance strategy, capacity, and culture in such a way that has allowed Verus Corp to achieve exponential growth since he joined the company in 2013. One of Kyle’s greatest professional achievements has been in helping lay the foundation upon which Verus Corporation could be named the 2nd Best Place to Work by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Kyle holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from St. Cloud State University. He lives in Champlin with his wife and 3 children. He has enjoyed volunteering as a soccer coach for over 6 years and was the former Director of Coaching for Rebels Soccer Club. If Kyle isn’t on the sidelines of one of his children’s soccer games or in the audience of his eldest’s musicals, he can often be found cruising scenic routes on his Harley, in a deer stand, or on the golf course.